Plans to turn Bentham Country Club in Gloucestershire into an impressive new climbing park have been approved by Tewkesbury Borough Council after three years.
The £7 million redevelopment will see the six-acre site between Cheltenham and Gloucester completely transformed, with plans to build a new climbing park, sports facilities and glamping area – as well as replacing the club’s existing domes with a new sports dome that is ‘more sympathetic’ to the local surroundings.
270 Climbing Park will offer indoor climbing walls, two bouldering areas and both indoor and outdoor Olympic standard speed climbing and competition walls. Plus, an outdoor climbing wall and bouldering area; a high ropes course with zip wires; and activity tower.
The new sports dome will house multi-activity courts and a bouldering competition wall. There are also plans for an artificial caving system, soft play area, fitness studio and therapy rooms, as well as two cafés.
There will also be new glamping facilities and pods available for short term stays.
Sandra Ford, head of development services at Tewkesbury Borough Council, said: ‘This gives the green light to what will be an outstanding new climbing and activity centre, to be enjoyed by all, regardless of age or ability. 270 Climbing Park will be a wonderful addition to our existing leisure provision, not only benefiting the health and wellbeing of our residents, but also creating jobs, increasing tourism and bringing economic benefit to the borough.
‘I am particularly pleased that the project, situated within the Cotswolds area of outstanding natural beauty and involving the welcome redevelopment of a brownfield site, has been thoughtfully designed in sympathy with its surroundings.’
Work on the site is due to begin this summer with the park set to open in 2022.
